GROUP 1 Language A1 English
To fulfill the requirements for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, all students must study a
Group 1 subject, that is, a Language Al.
The Language Al programme is a literature course studied in the "first language" of the student or the
language in which the student is most competent. This will normally be the language of the environment to
which the student has been exposed from an early age or for an extended period. (Related terms are
"mother tongue", "native language", and "home language".)
Over eighty different Languages Al have been offered for examination through the International
Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) policy of mother tongue entitlement for its international candidature.
This policy promotes oral and written communication skills, and respect for the literary heritage of the
student's first language, while providing complementary international perspectives through the study of
World Literature.
To this end, even though the Language Al programme is restricted to only those languages with adequate
printed literature, it also allows for the study of oral art forms. This is to ensure that students whose
Language Al contains a substantial amount of oral literature are not unduly disadvantaged. Such students
are allowed to include texts of oral literature in their courses provided the works chosen are of merit and are
available in reliable transcription and/or in other recording.
Language Al is offered at both Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL). Where no teacher is available,
a student may be allowed to study his/her particular Language Al as a self-taught candidate at SL only.
The number of works studied and skills assessed are comparable across all Languages Al. The teaching and
assessment of any particular Language Al will be conducted in that language.
NATURE OF THE SUBJECT
The Language Al programme is primarily a pre-university course in literature. It is aimed at students who
intend to pursue literature, or related studies, at university, as well as at students whose formal study of
literature will not continue beyond this level. The former would normally follow the Higher Level (HL)
programme and the latter the Standard Level (SL).
Literature is concerned with our conceptions, interpretations and experiences of the world. The study of
literature, therefore, can be seen as a study of all the complex pursuits, anxieties, joys and fears that human
beings are exposed to in the daily business of living. It enables an exploration of one of the more enduring
fields of human creativity and artistic ingenuity, and provides immense opportunities for encouraging
independent, original, critical and clear thinking. It also promotes a healthy respect for the imagination and
a perceptive approach to the understanding and interpretation of literary works. The discussion of literature
is itself an art which requires the clear expression of ideas both orally and in writing.
The Language Al programme encourages students to see literary works as products of art and their authors
as craftsmen whose methods of production can be analysed in a variety of ways and on a number of levels.
This is achieved through the emphasis placed on exploring the means used by different authors to convey
their subjects in the works studied. It is further reinforced by the comparative framework emphasized for
the study of these works in all parts of the programme.
The flexibility of the programme allows teachers to choose challenging works from their own sources to
suit the particular needs and interests of their students. It also allows teachers to participate significantly,
through the internally assessed oral component, in the overall assessment of their students.
World Literature
"One of the most effective and humanizing ways that people of different cultures can have access to each
other's experiences and concerns is through works of literary merit."
(Salma Jayyusi, The Literature of Modern Arabia)
In view of the international nature of the IBO, the Language Al programme does not limit the study of
literature to the achievements of one culture or the cultures covered by any one language. The study of
World Literature is important to IB students because of its global perspective. It can play a strong role in
promoting a "world spirit" through the unique opportunities it offers for the appreciation of the various
ways in which cultures influence and shape the experiences of life common to all humanity.
The World Literature element of the Language Al programme does not aim to cover the history of literature
or the so-called "great works" of humanity. It does not aim to equip students with a mastery of other
cultures. It is envisaged as having the potential to enrich the international awareness of IB students and to
develop in them the attitudes of tolerance empathy and a genuine respect for perspectives different from
their own.
AIMS
The aims of the Language Al programme at both Higher and Standard Levels are to:
encourage a personal appreciation of literature and develop an understanding of the techniques
involved in literary criticism
develop the students' powers of expression, both in oral and written communication, and provide
the opportunity of practising and developing the skills involved in writing and speaking in a
variety of styles and situations
introduce students to a range of literary works of different periods, genres, styles and contexts
broaden the students' perspective through the study of works from other cultures and languages
introduce students to ways of approaching and studying literature, leading to the development of
an understanding and appreciation of the relationships between different works
develop the ability to engage in close, detailed analysis of written text
promote in students an enjoyment of, and lifelong interest in, literature.
OBJECTIVES Higher Level
Having followed the Language Al programme at Higher Level (HL) candidates will be expected to
demonstrate:
an ability to engage in independent literary criticism in a manner which reveals a personal
response to literature
an ability to express ideas with clarity, coherence, conciseness, precision and fluency in both
written and oral communication
a command of the language appropriate for the study of literature and a discriminating
appreciation of the need for an effective choice of register and style in both written and oral
communication
a sound approach to literature through consideration of the works studied a thorough knowledge
both of the individual works studied and of the relationships between groups of works studied
an appreciation of the similarities and differences between literary works from different ages
and/or cultures
an ability to engage in independent textual commentary on both familiar and unfamiliar pieces of
writing a wide-ranging appreciation of structure, technique and style as employed by authors, and
of their effects on the reader
an ability to structure ideas and arguments, both orally and in writing, in a logical, sustained and
persuasive way, and to support them with precise and relevant examples.
SYLLABUS OUTLINE Higher Level
The Higher level HL syllabus is divided in to four compulsory parts.
Total number of works: 15
Part I World Literature
Three World Literature works studied as a group.
Each work chosen from the IB Prescribed World Literature List (PWL) only.
All works linked by one or more aspects such as culture, genre, theme, period, literary study,
methodology.
Each work originally written in a language different from the Language Al studied.
Each work written by a different author.
Part 2 Detailed Study
Four Language Al works studied in detail.
Each work chosen from a different genre category on the IB Prescribed Book List (PBL) for the
Language Al studied.
Each work written by a different author.
Part 3 Groups of Works
Three Language Al works and one World Literature work studied as a group.
All four works chosen from the same genre category.
All three Language Al works chosen from the PBL for the Language Al studied.
World Literature work 'chosen freely' and linked at least by genre to Language Al works.
Each work written by a different author.
Part 4 School's Free Choice
Three Language Al works and one World Literature work studied as a group.
All four works 'chosen freely'
World Literature work linked to Language Al works by one or more aspects such as culture, genre,
theme, period, style, type of literary study, methodology.
Each work written by a different author.
ASSESSMENT
All responses, written and oral, must be in the language A I studied.
External Assessment
Written Paper Component
Two written papers, externally set and externally assessed.
Paper 1 Commentary 2 hours 25%
Written commentary based on poetry or another text to which the techniques of literary criticism
can be applied.
Two unseen texts for commentary; no guiding questions.
One commentary to be written on one of the texts.
Paper 2 Essay 2 hours 25%
Two essay questions on each genre available for study in Pant 3, Groups of Works, and four essay
questions of a general nature.
One question only to be answered, based on the Part 3 works studied and, if relevant, a Part 2
work of the same genre.
World Literature (WL) Assignments
Two assignments written during the course and externally assessed, each 1000 -1500 words.
Assignment 1 10%
Comparative study of at least two Part I works.
Assignment 2 10%
Based on work(s) not used in Assignment 1
Assignment 2a: Comparative Study (I WL work and 1 Language Al work)
Assignment 2b: Imaginative or Creative Assignment
(I WL work, or I WL and 1 Language Al work)
Assignment 2c: Detailed Study (1 WL work only)
Internal Assessment
Oral Component
Two compulsory oral activities to be internally assessed by the teacher and externally
moderated by the IBO.
Individual Oral Commentary 15 minutes
Commentary on an extract, chosen by the teacher, from one of the Part 2 works studied.
Extract accompanied by guiding questions.
Individual Oral Presentation 10 - 15 minutes
Presentation of a topic, chosen by the candidate, based on Part 4 work(s).
